Telegram to Zhou Enlai[1]

(October 3, 1940)

Han Deqin is now again massively pressing Chen Yi. According to Chen Yi, war is unavoidable, and he requests reinforcement from Huang Kecheng. Therefore, our disposition policy is: "If Han does not attack Chen, Huang shall not attack Han; if Han attacks Chen, Huang must attack Han." It is hoped that He Yingqin be first notified to halt Han's actions; otherwise, the Eighth Route Army cannot sit by and look on unconcerned.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong's telegram to Zhou Enlai concerning the issue of attacking Han Deqin to assist Chen Yi's forces. On October 4, 1940, the Huangqiao Campaign to counter Han Deqin's offensive began, and the fighting concluded on the 6th, annihilating over 11,000 of Han Deqin's troops in this engagement.